MU earns NCAA Tournament berth; will face Dayton on Friday

November 9, 10:24 PMMarquette Golden Eagles ExaminerBrian Neuberger

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One day after losing 2-1 to Notre Dame in the Big East Tournament Championship game, the MU women’s soccer program collectively rejoiced as they earned one of 34 at-large bids to the 2009 NCAA Tournament Monday evening.

The Golden Eagles (15-5-2), who hosted a Selection Show party at the Marquette Union Sports Annex to celebrate the occasion, were one of seven Big East squads (joining Connecticut, Notre Dame, Rutgers, St. John’s, Villanova and West Virginia) to have their ticket to soccer’s Big Dance punched and will play the Dayton Flyers (16-0-5) on Friday at Baujan Field (Dayton, Ohio).

MU’s selection is the eighth in school history (1999, 2000, 2002, 2005, 2006, 2008 and 2009) and comes on the heels of a historic 2009 regular season.

Led by sophomores Rachel Sloan—an All-Big East First Team selection, Sloan leads MU in scoring (19 points), goals (seven), assists (five) and shots (62)—and Natalie Kulla, an All-Big East Second Team selection who established school records in shutouts (15) and goals against average (0.53), MU captured their first Big East American Division regular season crown and made an appearance in the Big East Tournament Championship game for the first time since joining the conference in 2005.

Overall, MU earned their 14th consecutive double-digit win season (punctuated by an eight-game unbeaten streak prior to facing the Irish on Sunday) and saw 14 players score at least one goal and 20 players play in 15 or more regular season games in 2009.

In Dayton, however, MU will be matched up against the Atlantic 10 Conference champions (thus earning an automatic bid) and one of two unbeaten teams in country (highlighted by their current 21-game unbeaten streak).

Possessing a three-headed monster of 20-point scorers in seniors Mandi Back and Lauren MacCormick and freshman Colleen Williams, the Flyers are anchored by freshman Katherine Boone in goal.

Boone, whose .312 goals against average currently ranks second in the country, has allowed only six goals and has 12 shutouts to her name in 2009.

For the season, Dayton has outscored its opponents 48-7.

The winner between MU and Dayton will play the winner of Virginia Tech (14-7-0) and Murray State (11-8-2) on Sunday, Nov. 15.